brated. Having arrived there, he entered the college of Thebes, having been previously refused entrance at that of Heliopolis, and also of Memphis, notwithstanding his having, through the king of Samos, obtained an introduction from Ama- sis, the king of Egypt, to those establishments. So jealous were the Egyptian priests of their mysteries, as their knowledge was styled, that they would never admit strangers to a participation in the treasures of their wisdom. However, our young philosopher succeeded, through the instrumentality of Amasis, in gaining admittance to the College of Thebes; and having complied with all the initiatory requirements of the establishment, he soon became conversant with their mysteries. Here he remained for about a score years, trusted and beloved not only by the priests of his own college but also by all the priests and prophets of all the other colleges, as well as those who were distinguished for learning and wisdom throughout the country. Having at last returned to his native country, he attempted to establish a school there, but failed in the attempt. Such was the stupidity and intellectual inertness of the Samians, that the varied knowledge and refinement of wisdom which our philosopher presented to them, was rejected and despised, or regarded with such cold indifference as to compel him to withdraw from the prosecution of his design. He resumed his travels once more, and passed over into several of the Grecian islands, for the purpose, as it became afterwards evident, of acquiring a sanction for his doctrines, and that he might thereby the more easily disseminate them amongst his countrymen. We have here the commencement of that system of quackery and imposture for which Pytha-
